Biggest market: the United States of America
Vilebrequin has already opened 15 new stores since the start of the year and will turn its attention to South Africa and Angola in 2016: “We have chosen the African continent as our next destination because of its climate which favours swimwear purchases. Also, its middle-class is growing evermore”, says Roland Herlory, CEO.
The United States of America are still the brand’s most important market, with 15 to 20 % growth and a third of all sales.
Goal for 2017: 100 million euro
The French brand currently has 200 stores in 55 countries, but wants to achieve a 100 million euro turnover by 2017. To achieve that, the company aims to strengthen its overall product range, outside of the swimwear products which currently contribute 75 % of total turnover. By 2017, that section of its product range should only be 50 % of the total turnover.
It has already started to diversify with a first shoe range developed by Overland. It includes sandals, sneakers and other types of shoes. Vilebrequin currently focuses on men, but wants to expand into women’s fashion as well in a couple of years’ time.
